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bookheathens's reviews
346 reviews
Here For The Cake by Jennifer Millikin
4.5
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for this ARC - thoughts are entirely my own.
"You're my favorite story. The best I've ever heard, and the best I'll ever tell."
WHY ARE MY EYES LEAKING.
Here for the Cake is a delightful, sun-soaked summer romance. It hits all the right notes: fake dating, an island setting that practically screams "GO ON VACATION" vibes, and characters with depth and development that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Paisley and Klein's reunion sets the stage for some seriously entertaining antics, especially when Paisley needs a faux beau for her sister's wedding to Paisley's ex. 👀🫠 It sounds wild, but trust me—it is unexpectedly so.
But Klein and Paisley's banter? Top-notch.
And Klein's wholehearted devotion? Absolutely swoon-worthy.
The beachy backdrop adds an extra layer of magic to their budding romance. Watching Paisley and Klein's relationship unfold felt like taking a leisurely stroll along the shore: easy, breezy, and oh-so-pleasant. Plus, Paisley's journey of self-discovery, complete with family dynamics and representation of dyslexia, added depth to an already captivating story.
Sure, the pacing initially took a bit to rev up, but it laid the groundwork for the heartwarming journey ahead. Overall, it was a fantastic read that absolutely made me want to check out the rest of this author's backlist.
"You're my favorite story. The best I've ever heard, and the best I'll ever tell."
WHY ARE MY EYES LEAKING.
Here for the Cake is a delightful, sun-soaked summer romance. It hits all the right notes: fake dating, an island setting that practically screams "GO ON VACATION" vibes, and characters with depth and development that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Paisley and Klein's reunion sets the stage for some seriously entertaining antics, especially when Paisley needs a faux beau for her sister's wedding to Paisley's ex. 👀🫠 It sounds wild, but trust me—it is unexpectedly so.
But Klein and Paisley's banter? Top-notch.
And Klein's wholehearted devotion? Absolutely swoon-worthy.
The beachy backdrop adds an extra layer of magic to their budding romance. Watching Paisley and Klein's relationship unfold felt like taking a leisurely stroll along the shore: easy, breezy, and oh-so-pleasant. Plus, Paisley's journey of self-discovery, complete with family dynamics and representation of dyslexia, added depth to an already captivating story.
Sure, the pacing initially took a bit to rev up, but it laid the groundwork for the heartwarming journey ahead. Overall, it was a fantastic read that absolutely made me want to check out the rest of this author's backlist.
The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
4.5
Easily like 4.5 or 5 stars.
I was so invested! The audiobook narrator was incredible. I'm sure I missed some things because I could not translate some of the words or small pieces of conversation, but it wasn't so big that I felt disconnected or like I was in some linguistics lesson.
It's set in an alternate version of the Tang dynasty, and I've found in the past that I struggle to stay interested or connect with Asian fantasy novels. NOT THIS ONE. I'm not sure if Baker put crack in this story or what, but I didn't want to put it down. I was invested in the alchemy, the court/empire's dynamic, and how all these little morsels of information we're given come together in the end.
Book two hasn't been published yet, but I was ready to pick it up immediately! I'll be watching for it, without a doubt.
I was so invested! The audiobook narrator was incredible. I'm sure I missed some things because I could not translate some of the words or small pieces of conversation, but it wasn't so big that I felt disconnected or like I was in some linguistics lesson.
It's set in an alternate version of the Tang dynasty, and I've found in the past that I struggle to stay interested or connect with Asian fantasy novels. NOT THIS ONE. I'm not sure if Baker put crack in this story or what, but I didn't want to put it down. I was invested in the alchemy, the court/empire's dynamic, and how all these little morsels of information we're given come together in the end.
Book two hasn't been published yet, but I was ready to pick it up immediately! I'll be watching for it, without a doubt.
The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli
4.5
Wow, I gotta say, this book really delivered. I had my doubts, you know? But it totally lived up to the hype. It was a blast to read, and I was so invested. The magic system? Absolutely fascinating.
Rune and Gideon stole the show for me. A witch and witch-hunter romance? Talk about delicious! Their dynamic kept me on edge the whole way through. Now, I'm cool with the whole YA fade-to-black thing, but it's worth noting if you're diving into this read. And let me tell you, I'm a sucker for a kickass female lead, and The Crimson Moth nails it. I was hooked from start to finish.
But here's the thing that stopped me from giving it a perfect score: the ending. It felt like it wrapped up too quickly, which made some pivotal moments fall a bit flat for me emotionally. The story felt a tad unfinished, but hey, it's part of an ongoing series, so I guess I'll cut it some slack. Still, if you're not a fan of cliffhangers, maybe hold off until the next installment drops. But me? I'm already itching to dive into whatever comes next.
Rune and Gideon stole the show for me. A witch and witch-hunter romance? Talk about delicious! Their dynamic kept me on edge the whole way through. Now, I'm cool with the whole YA fade-to-black thing, but it's worth noting if you're diving into this read. And let me tell you, I'm a sucker for a kickass female lead, and The Crimson Moth nails it. I was hooked from start to finish.
But here's the thing that stopped me from giving it a perfect score: the ending. It felt like it wrapped up too quickly, which made some pivotal moments fall a bit flat for me emotionally. The story felt a tad unfinished, but hey, it's part of an ongoing series, so I guess I'll cut it some slack. Still, if you're not a fan of cliffhangers, maybe hold off until the next installment drops. But me? I'm already itching to dive into whatever comes next.
A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
3.5
It was gay and it was okay. I don't know that I'd seek out more books in this series (even though I was today years old when I found out that it's a series 😅)
The Last Love Song by Kalie Holford
3.5
3.5 because the ending saved it...
I was bored for at least the first 50-60%, but it could be a target audience problem.
Either way, it's all about the ending and Mia's hunt for her mom, her dad and her plan for her future.
I was bored for at least the first 50-60%, but it could be a target audience problem.
Either way, it's all about the ending and Mia's hunt for her mom, her dad and her plan for her future.
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
5.0
Cried.
Just because you got dusted doesn't mean you're done. 🫠
Adhd rep, sensory struggle rep.
Emmy is such a bad ass and so incredibly relatable.
Just because you got dusted doesn't mean you're done. 🫠
Adhd rep, sensory struggle rep.
Emmy is such a bad ass and so incredibly relatable.
A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
3.5
3.5⭐️
I believe most of the rankings with this review are my feelings/how I mesh (or don’t) with Danielle’s writing. That’s not a jab but an observation.
I found parts of the plot both boring and predictable. I docked star points for the boring. Less so the predictability.
It’s obviously strong in the Norse mythology, so it was interesting hearing how the gods tied in. I do think I’ll pick it up again when book two comes out because I’m genuinely curious where we go from that ending.
Freya is… a YA Fantasy FMC. I mean that’s how it felt the whole time I was reading. She has strong morals and she sticks to her guns (sometimes longer than she should). Bjorn is Bjorn. lol uh idk how to talk about him without just spoiling all the things.
Anyway I’m rambling.. 3.5 stars. If you like YA, the author, and Norse gods, read this
I believe most of the rankings with this review are my feelings/how I mesh (or don’t) with Danielle’s writing. That’s not a jab but an observation.
I found parts of the plot both boring and predictable. I docked star points for the boring. Less so the predictability.
It’s obviously strong in the Norse mythology, so it was interesting hearing how the gods tied in. I do think I’ll pick it up again when book two comes out because I’m genuinely curious where we go from that ending.
Freya is… a YA Fantasy FMC. I mean that’s how it felt the whole time I was reading. She has strong morals and she sticks to her guns (sometimes longer than she should). Bjorn is Bjorn. lol uh idk how to talk about him without just spoiling all the things.
Anyway I’m rambling.. 3.5 stars. If you like YA, the author, and Norse gods, read this
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
My main gripe is that the narrator's style just didn't click with me. It detracted from my overall enjoyment of the experience, making it hard to immerse myself in the story fully.
Overall, "Terms and Conditions" offers an intriguing narrative, but the audiobook's shortcomings, particularly with the narration style, left me wanting more.
3.5
This story is a captivating exploration of modern relationships, but I found the audiobook version lacking, so I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
As I got into the audiobook, I appreciated the story's depth and the way Asher navigated themes like trust and communication (and how they can be done SO poorly). However, I couldn't shake the feeling of the uneven pacing, with some parts dragging while others felt rushed.
My main gripe is that the narrator's style just didn't click with me. It detracted from my overall enjoyment of the experience, making it hard to immerse myself in the story fully.
Overall, "Terms and Conditions" offers an intriguing narrative, but the audiobook's shortcomings, particularly with the narration style, left me wanting more.
At First Spite by Olivia Dade
4.25
Wow I did not expect this hit me square in the jaw and fuck me up.
TWs for on page depressive episodes/clinical depression (doesn’t include explicit suicidal ideation but she does mention wanting to disappear [which to me is all too similar]), remembering the events leading up to sibling loss, accidental drug overdose of the sibling, grief. Also includes graphic sexual content and loss of virginity.
I didn’t expect a laundry list of tws and a couple of these I wish had been listed in the book or more reviews.
TWs for on page depressive episodes/clinical depression (doesn’t include explicit suicidal ideation but she does mention wanting to disappear [which to me is all too similar]), remembering the events leading up to sibling loss, accidental drug overdose of the sibling, grief. Also includes graphic sexual content and loss of virginity.
I didn’t expect a laundry list of tws and a couple of these I wish had been listed in the book or more reviews.